LAS VEGAS — Roy “Big Country” Nelson lost his fight — and apparently a tooth — Thursday night.
As their three-round UFC Fight Night heavyweight bout came to a close, Nelson and his opponent, Derrick Lewis, traded vicious strikes in an attempt to prevent the judges from having to decide the winner. They weren’t successful, but Lewis evidently was successful in dislodging a tooth from Nelson’s noggin with a stunning right-hand shot.
Nelson, who’s from Las Vegas and thus was an MGM Garden Grand Arena favorite, found himself on the short end of the judges’ scorecard, losing 29-28, 28-29, 28-29, and earning Lewis’ respect.
“I was surprised at how tough Roy Nelson is,” Lewis said in the post-fight press conference. “I believe he has the toughest chin in the UFC, and he took everything I’ve got in that first round. … I wanted that finish and just kept throwing when we were standing, but he’s tough.”
So tough that Nelson absolutely wore out Lewis, who fell asleep on the stage after speaking.
Hey, no one said beating people’s teeth out of their heads isn’t tiring work.
Thumbnail photo via Joshua Dahl/USA TODAY Sports Images
